34/35 Weeks and Monthly Survey

34 Weeks

It's been two weeks since I updated! I have had some difficulty communicating lately. I've answered only really pressing emails and messages. I've been wrapped in my own thoughts and hashing some things out. If I've been neglecting you, don't take it personally!
  We had our care conference last Monday with the providers who will be taking care of Denali when she's born. I tried to write about it, but the words wouldn't come. Suffice it to say that I have every confidence in our providers and that I'm blown away by the amazing NICU and Mother Baby Unit here! We're going to be in great hands!
  Things have been going okay here. Last Sunday I thought I was in labor. We were in church and I started having regular contractions. We went out to do some shopping after the service and the contractions became more intense to the point that I had John take me home. We started timing the contractions and they were exactly seven minutes apart. They were quite uncomfortable, but not really painful. They remained seven minutes apart for an hour and then went to nine and ten minutes apart and eventually stopped. It scared me a bit because I'm not ready yet! Denali is still breech (of course, she's my daughter!) and Dr. O doesn't think I'm going to go into labor anytime in the near future. That is a bit reassuring.
  Denali has been doing her baby thing, whatever that is. Her movements are decidedly less vigorous and I think she is starting to feel squished! However, at our last OB appointment, she became very agitated when Dr. O tried to listen to her heart. My whole belly was shimmying and shaking and everyone was cracking up. I wished I had taped it!
   The big thing that is happening in our lives now is that we decided to adopt two guinea pigs. Okay, John was coerced. Whatever. We adopted them from a shelter near Fairbanks and we will pick them up when we go up there for Thanksgiving. I'm quite excited! I do get lonely here by myself and having some furries to take care of will give me something that I have to do. John is fairly apprehensive about the whole thing. He's never had a pet in his life, not even so much as a goldfish! On the other hand, I grew up surrounded by lots of animals and I miss their presence when I don't have a pet. My bearded dragon, Hemsworth, is living at my parent's farm because he can't come to Alaska. I have to laugh because, when I told John that we were going to be parents, he barely batted an eye. He didn't show any obvious anxiety at all. A baby! Great! This will be easy! But the guinea pigs...I thought he was going to pass out in Petco! He's been doing a lot of research and making sure we will be able to properly care for the piggies. I made him hold a guinea pig as a sort of impromptu pet parenting class and he had the cutest smile on his face. I think he's going to make a wonderful guinea pig dad and that he'll end up loving them more than me! Or he'll stir-fry them with some Ramen. Either way, he will love them!

 Monthly Survey

How far along? 35 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Of course
Stretch marks? Getting a few more. Nothing really terrible.
Sleep:  Finally gave in and got a prescription to help. My Restless Leg Syndrome has gotten dramatically worse and I had to do something about it.
Best moment this week: Christmas shopping with John and Denali and then supper at The Rock
Miss Anything? Above-freezing temperatures!

Movement: It's slowed down quite a lot, but she definitely gets a few diaphragm punches in!
Food cravings: Stuffing!!! John has made it for me almost every day!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing specific. I did throw up in Target last night for some unknown reason.
Have you started to show yet: Hahaha!
Gender prediction: Still a girl
Labor Signs: Yes, frequent contractions! We're practicing!
Belly Button in or out? In

Happy or Moody most of the time: I have been a bit moody. Looking forward to: Thanksgiving with family, Black Friday, and getting our guinea pigs!